Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions? Thanks in advance! Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875 “This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896>
We close only for bad road conditions. For many in our community we are the only warm place people can be. 🙁 Tarra Gamelin Director Spies Public Library 940 First Street Menominee, MI 49858 906.863.3911 ________________________________ From: JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 2:56 PM To: Gwen Haviland via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Inclement Weather Policies Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions? Thanks in advance! Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875 “This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896>
We go off of road conditions. We had a full house today due to the cold weather.
On 01/21/2026 3:56 PM EST JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> wrote:
Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions?
Thanks in advance!
Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875
“This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list -- michlib-l@liblists.org To unsubscribe send an email to michlib-l-leave@liblists.org
Dexter is a warming center, listed with the county, so we stay open unless snow/road conditions are dangerous. I am expecting some school closures because of the temps for kids waiting for the busses, so that tends to increase foot traffic if the roads are passable. Paul From: "Sharona Rosnik via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@liblists.org> To: "JC Wheeler Public Library" <lovemylibrary@live.com>, "JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 4:02:14 PM Subject: [Michlib-l] Re: Inclement Weather Policies We go off of road conditions. We had a full house today due to the cold weather. On 01/21/2026 3:56 PM EST JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> wrote: Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions? Thanks in advance! Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875 “This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, [ https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896 | The Diary of a Young Girl ] _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list -- michlib-l@liblists.org To unsubscribe send an email to michlib-l-leave@liblists.org _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list -- michlib-l@liblists.org To unsubscribe send an email to michlib-l-leave@liblists.org
Hi Abbie, Attached is our Emergency Closing Policy for you. It includes extreme cold but we have never closed for that reason, only for unsafe travel. Patty Patty Braden, Director Romulus Public Library 11121 Wayne Road Romulus, MI 48174 734-955-4516 [ http://www.romuluslibrary.org/ | www.romuluslibrary.org ] Serving Romulus and Huron Township Secretary, Board of Directors Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce From: "JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@liblists.org> To: "Gwen Haviland via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 3:56:59 PM Subject: [Michlib-l] Inclement Weather Policies Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions? Thanks in advance! Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875 “This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, [ https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896 | The Diary of a Young Girl ] _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list -- michlib-l@liblists.org To unsubscribe send an email to michlib-l-leave@liblists.org
We also have no set policy-- If the Library can offer services safely, it will be open. That said, we have closed during power outages, etc. And we don't deliver our off-site story times to any school, preschool, daycare etc. in our service area if the main school district is closed. That's mostly for consistency. Appreciate sharing the policy-- worth considering. On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 4:13 PM Patty Braden via Michlib-l < michlib-l@liblists.org> wrote:
Hi Abbie, Attached is our Emergency Closing Policy for you. It includes extreme cold but we have never closed for that reason, only for unsafe travel.
*Patty*
Patty Braden, Director Romulus Public Library 11121 Wayne Road Romulus, MI 48174 734-955-4516 www.romuluslibrary.org
*Serving Romulus and Huron Township*
Secretary, Board of Directors Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce
------------------------------ *From: *"JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@liblists.org> *To: *"Gwen Haviland via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@liblists.org> *Sent: *Wednesday, January 21, 2026 3:56:59 PM *Subject: *[Michlib-l] Inclement Weather Policies
Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions?
Thanks in advance!
*Abbie LaFountaine* *JC Wheeler Library* *PO Box 226* *1576 S. Main* *Martin, MI 49070* *269-672-7875*
*“This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.”* *― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl <https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896>*
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list -- michlib-l@liblists.org To unsubscribe send an email to michlib-l-leave@liblists.org _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list -- michlib-l@liblists.org To unsubscribe send an email to michlib-l-leave@liblists.org
-- Jean Fellows Programming Coordinator Grand Ledge Area District Library 131 E. Jefferson St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837 517-627-7014 *MelCat & Mel Are at Risk!* saveimls.org A federal Executive Order may cut *all funding* for these essential library services by Sept 2025. MelCat = 34 million items from 435 MI libraries Mel = free eBooks, magazines, research tools & more Small libraries like GLADL *depend* on them!
Hi all, Good question to ask. My thought is this....libraries are a public trust and closing because it's 'too cold' seems wrong to me. We have an obligation to serve responsibly. We can put on proper coats and get to the library and open it up. As stated by others, libraries often serve as warming centers and places for people to safely be. Now, if the roads are dangerous sheets of ice, my library will definitely close. But cold is not a good enough reason, imho. Thanks for asking, Mary Mary Harrison Director Coloma Public Library 151 W. Center Street PO Box 430 Coloma Michigan 49038 269-468-3431 www.colomapubliclibrary.net<http://www.colomapubliclibrary.net/> The most important asset of any library goes home at night – the library staff. Timothy Healy ________________________________ From: JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 3:56 PM To: Gwen Haviland via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Inclement Weather Policies Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions? Thanks in advance! Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875 “This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896>
My opinion is... 'too cold' would be a reason to STAY OPEN not close. I wonder what the libraries in Alaska do. Rebecca Parker Circulation Supervisor Charlevoix Public Library 231-547-2651 [X] ________________________________ From: Mary Harrison via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 5:22 PM To: Gwen Haviland via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org>; JC Wheeler Public Library <lovemylibrary@live.com> Subject: [Michlib-l] Re: Inclement Weather Policies Hi all, Good question to ask. My thought is this....libraries are a public trust and closing because it's 'too cold' seems wrong to me. We have an obligation to serve responsibly. We can put on proper coats and get to the library and open it up. As stated by others, libraries often serve as warming centers and places for people to safely be. Now, if the roads are dangerous sheets of ice, my library will definitely close. But cold is not a good enough reason, imho. Thanks for asking, Mary Mary Harrison Director Coloma Public Library 151 W. Center Street PO Box 430 Coloma Michigan 49038 269-468-3431 www.colomapubliclibrary.net<http://www.colomapubliclibrary.net/> The most important asset of any library goes home at night – the library staff. Timothy Healy ________________________________ From: JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 3:56 PM To: Gwen Haviland via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Inclement Weather Policies Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions? Thanks in advance! Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875 “This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896>
Same - we only close for impassable roads and even then, rarely. We also get people coming in simply to be warm, especially since power outages are more common with colder temps and the resulting ice. We did, however, finally get our HVAC issues fixed this morning so at least we will actually be warm here tomorrow! ;) Deb Hemmye Library Director Huntington Woods Public Library 26415 Scotia Road Huntington Woods, MI 48070 248-543-9720, ext. 686 Currently listening to Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie From: "Michlib" <michlib-l@liblists.org> To: "Michlib" <michlib-l@liblists.org>, "JC Wheeler Public Library" <lovemylibrary@live.com>, "Mary Harrison" <mary@colomapubliclibrary.net> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 6:30:23 PM Subject: [Michlib-l] Re: Inclement Weather Policies My opinion is... 'too cold' would be a reason to STAY OPEN not close. I wonder what the libraries in Alaska do. Rebecca Parker Circulation Supervisor Charlevoix Public Library 231-547-2651 From: Mary Harrison via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 5:22 PM To: Gwen Haviland via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org>; JC Wheeler Public Library <lovemylibrary@live.com> Subject: [Michlib-l] Re: Inclement Weather Policies Hi all, Good question to ask. My thought is this....libraries are a public trust and closing because it's 'too cold' seems wrong to me. We have an obligation to serve responsibly. We can put on proper coats and get to the library and open it up. As stated by others, libraries often serve as warming centers and places for people to safely be. Now, if the roads are dangerous sheets of ice, my library will definitely close. But cold is not a good enough reason, imho. Thanks for asking, Mary Mary Harrison Director Coloma Public Library 151 W. Center Street PO Box 430 Coloma Michigan 49038 269-468-3431 [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.colomapubliclibrary.net_&d=DwMF-w&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=sW0QtgsUF_VTgHYbMLAYDX2ikQwQhwFgtcNmyu5STJQ&m=y01XH2XiRFYtUBasEERVf27MqpvSCRxJpHQ-JoudZZKCD6hillMaO5xd7xPF78FY&s=sSfBro-RbRIWQTod5GwpOOm1GWyNwm8KDVSb6wSkd5A&e= | www.colomapubliclibrary.net ] The most important asset of any library goes home at night – the library staff. Timothy Healy From: JC Wheeler Public Library via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 3:56 PM To: Gwen Haviland via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Inclement Weather Policies Hi Library Land! With the Extreme Cold Watch in effect throughout some of Michigan, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or policies on temperature? Does anyone close for wind chill, or do you close strictly for bad road conditions? Thanks in advance! Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875 “This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.goodreads.com_work_quotes_3532896&d=DwMF-w&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=sW0QtgsUF_VTgHYbMLAYDX2ikQwQhwFgtcNmyu5STJQ&m=y01XH2XiRFYtUBasEERVf27MqpvSCRxJpHQ-JoudZZKCD6hillMaO5xd7xPF78FY&s=KDk0ZlGMt_ki1lmUPVmsHa8dMIXrUGmNkUcJuUvrXJw&e= | The Diary of a Young Girl ] _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list -- michlib-l@liblists.org To unsubscribe send an email to michlib-l-leave@liblists.org
participants (9)
-
Deb Hemmye -
JC Wheeler Public Library -
Jean Fellows -
Mary Harrison -
Patty Braden -
Paul McCann -
Rebecca Parker -
Sharona Rosnik -
Tarra Gamelin